404-410-6488

The Cherokee Art Endowment Trust, Atlanta, Georgia (a501-3c entity) is pleased to recommend Leonora Weaver as a superb resource for paper and fine art restoration. She successfully "rescued" 12 works on paper dating from the 1830's to 1850's for The Trust and the transformation was nothing short of amazing.

Wayne Aaron
Co-Founder of The Trust

Art Restoration Services

We can remove those old water stains that so disfigure a work of art. We can remove the acids that cause the unsightly browning of the paper. Stains from grease or water can be removed.

Deacidification

The goal of this process is to increase the pH of acidic paper. From the 1850"s this problem occurs in paper because of the simpler, mechanical production methods. Acidic paper can be recognized by the way it turns yellow brown and becomes brittle, especially when exposed to light and air pollutions or high humidity. During the deacidification process an alkaline agent is deposited in the paper to neutralize the existing acid and to prevent further decay.

Water Stains

A typical problem occurring in antique prints are water stains.

Even if an artwork is framed that is no guarantee that water will not be absorbed. Water can come inching down the wall behind the artwork from over flowing gutter pipes. It can be absorbed from behind when a damp wall come into contact with the backing or it can be caused when the housekeeper sprays Window cleaner solutions directly onto the glass during their weekly cleanings.

We can remove these unsightly and damaging stains by water washing the artwork.

Sometimes the stains can be caused by "grease" splashes. We must remember that until the 20th century the only method for lighting the rooms were candles or oil lamps. Frequently these spilled or splashed onto the walls, and in turn, onto any prints that were framed there. Stains were left and over time turn slowly brown. We can remove most of these stains by using chemicals with our usual methods of cleaning.

Brown Spots

Multiple brown spots that form on prints are known as "foxing". These are caused by mold spores that have attached themselves to the paper surface and given the right circumstances, will grow and spread. After a while they pass away and leave behind the brown spots. You will notice that frequently the sky or face area have more spots on them than the rest of the print. This is because the ink of the print can form a barrier to the spores and they cannot attach themselves as firmly as they can to the lighter inked areas. These spots can be totally removed with cleaning and providing they are not put into the same conditions again will never come back.

Fumigation for Live Mildew and Fungus Spores

High humidity and heat are the cause of mold growing onto the paper artwork. This ultimately disintegrates the paper underneath and must not be ignored! We can fumigate the artwork, killing all spores dead and then remove the mold. Hurricane Katrina brought us a lot of work in this line!

Paper Repairs Rips, Tears and Holes

We can replace missing areas of paper with infills using antique paper and then we carefully tone in the "new" paper to match the surrounding areas. This allows us to restore the artwork to a safe and visually acceptable level for the client.

Removal of Acidic Boards, Mats, Tape and Glue

In the past it was the practice of framers to lay down the artwork onto a piece of cardboard, in order to get the print flat and pleasing to the eye of the client, Dry mounting is done today with that view in mind. However, the framers of long ago never thought that the boards had acid in them and that could turn the paper brown over time. We can remove the prints from these old boards. We can also remove dry mount tissue where needed. Framers also stuck down the mats with glues and tapes that cause problems of their own and we can remove these as well.

Hand Coloring

It was the practice of many centuries to enhance the black and white print or map with water coloring the artwork. This gives a bold enhancement to the features when correctly done. Leonora offers professional hand coloring service on both antique maps and engravings. Internationally known for this difficult skill, she can enhance and bring to life even the dullest image.

Flattening Folds, Creases and Wrinkles

For storage reasons many prints and maps were either folded or rolled up. This practice cause many problems and not only is it unsightly but it will weaken the fibers of the paper and cause it to tear along the lines.

We can relax the print by humidifying it slowly, easing out those creases and then we dry it slowly and under pressure so that it is as smooth as we can make it possible.

Varnish Removal and Cleaning of Paintings

Our studio can accept oil paintings for cleaning. We can remove old varnish that has turned yellow over time, repair holes and lost areas and touch up the missing paint to fit. We work with Susan Minassian on this.

Reline and touch up of oils painting can also be done giving strength and body to the fragile oil painting, enough to last it a lifetime!